Fragrant pitcher sage

Lepechinia fragrans

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Description

Known as the Fragrant pitcher sage, this rambling perennial is a top choice for shady areas among other California natives and to attract hummingbirds. It grows up to 2 ft. tall and 2-3 ft. wide, is covered with fine hairs for a fuzzy character, and produces colorful dark to light purple flowers in the spring. Crushed foliage releases a pleasing fragrant scent.

The Fragrant pitcher sage is a short-lived perennial for semi-shade gardens in the Inland Empire. It is a good understory companion plant among Western sycamore and Western redbud trees, ribes, coral bells and Douglas iris. Its fast growth and attractiveness to hummingbirds make it key part of this woodland style landscape.

Water Needs

Fragrant pitcher sage and its cultivars grow well in Inland Empire gardens in areas of partial shade and with low amounts of supplemental water during the summer. The chart shown below provides a recommended baseline guide to the monthly irrigation schedule and volume of supplemental water needed to maintain healthy growth throughout the average year. As shown in the chart below, there are several months indicated by an asterisk (*) when winter rains can provide sufficient moisture and irrigation is not needed. The high and low range of moisture indicates it can grow with varying amounts of water and you should make irrigation adjustments based on field observations of growth and character.

Maintenance

If necessary, cut back hard or all the way to the ground, as needed, once it is looking spent in mid-winter to prepare for fresh Spring growth (1). If you miss the mid-winter cutback, you can cut back by up to half in early spring (2).